A GNA Feature by Linda Naa Deide Aryeetey
Accra, Nov.29.GNA -Diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) at the age of 8, Elizabeth Esi Donyoh has never allowed the condition to dictate her life.
Who is she?
Now 57, a mother of three, and a tireless diabetes awareness advocate, she has spent nearly five decades defying the odds.
Over the years, Esi has found ways to live a healthy and fulfilling life, maintaining discipline in her diet, exercising regularly, and staying mentally and emotionally strong.
Beginning
Her journey, shaped by both struggles and triumphs, has made her a leading figure in diabetes advocacy in Ghana and across Africa.
Growing up in Ghana, Esi struggled with poor health, frequently collapsing and feeling weak.
Her condition went undiagnosed until she was 17, but by then, she had already learnt to live with the uncertainty of her health.
“As a child, I was just living, not thinking much about diabetes,” she recalls. “When I was diagnosed, I was told I would need medication for life, but I lived my life recklessly, thinking I might die at any time.”
It wasn’t until she encountered dedicated health professionals who educated her about Type 1 Diabetes that Esi began to understand the gravity of her condition.
Good lifestyle?
With their support, she embraced a healthier lifestyle, focusing on a balanced diet, regular exercise, and staying committed to her health.
As she sat in her cozy living room surrounded by pictures of herself and family, Esi says diabetes has taught her the importance of discipline in everything, from what she eats to how she manages stress.
After years of navigating the challenges of living with diabetes, Esi became a passionate advocate for others facing the same condition.
Contributions to NADG
In 1981, she helped revive the National Association of Diabetes, Ghana (NADG) and served in various capacities, eventually becoming the Chairperson of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), Africa Region.
“I’ve spent over 20 years working with the national association to support others with diabetes,” Esi shares.
“Through this work, I’ve seen firsthand the struggles of many people in Ghana, particularly those in rural and underserved areas, where access to specialised care is limited and medications are costly.”
Prohibitive cost of treatment
While the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) provides some coverage for diabetes care, many patients still need around GHS 4,000 a month for treatment—an amount that is beyond the reach of many.
“The lack of access to proper healthcare, along with high medication costs, leaves many diabetics in financial hardship,” Esi explains. “For those in rural areas, and those who are not gainfully employed, the situation is even worse, with many people unaware of their condition until it’s too late.”
Relations with children
Her commitment to improving diabetes care in Ghana extends to her work with children. Through her “Life for a Child” program, Esi has provided free insulin, glucometers, and medical supplies to over 1,860 children across the country.
“I want to ensure that no child dies from diabetes,” she says, highlighting the critical need for awareness and resources to manage the disease effectively.
Diabetes is a chronic condition that occurs when the body cannot produce any or enough insulin or cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. People with type one diabetes have to monitor their blood sugar levels throughout the day.
The World Health Organization says Diabetes is a silent epidemic, affecting millions worldwide.
Figures from IDF
According to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), an estimated 240 million people are living with undiagnosed diabetes globally, and nearly half of those with diabetes are unaware of their condition.
In 2021, diabetes was responsible for 1.6 million deaths, and 47 per cent of these deaths occurred before the age of 70.
The IDF projects that the global health expenditure on diabetes is expected to surpass $1 trillion by 2045.
Data from GHS
Data from the Non-Communicable Disease Directorate of the Ghana Health Service (GHS) shows that about 2.4 million people were diabetic as of 2023.
It shows that the number of people with Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) is rapidly increasing, largely due to changes in diet, physical inactivity, and sedentary lifestyles.
While Esi lives with Type 1 Diabetes, her work also touches on the growing epidemic of Type 2, which is more prevalent and preventable through lifestyle changes.
Dr. Efua Commeh, Acting Program Manager for the Non-Communicable Disease Directorate, (GHS) emphasizes the importance of portion control and balanced meals in preventing diabetes.
She said Ghanaians tend to consume large portions of carbohydrates and red meat, often with little to no vegetables.
Recommendations
“The public needs to take their health seriously,” Dr. Commeh advises. “By making small changes, like exercising regularly, filling a quarter of your plate with vegetables and reducing portions of carbohydrates, you can manage your risk of diabetes and other non-communicable diseases.”
Esi, whose parents both developed Type 2 Diabetes later in life, and whose husband and elder sister also live with the condition, stresses the need for more specialised care in Ghana.
“We need to invest in training more nurses to specialise in diabetes care,” she says. “They should be properly compensated for their expertise, which will help improve care and outcomes for patients.”
As Chairperson of the IDF Africa Region, Esi continues to champion policies that will improve diabetes care and access across the continent.
She calls on African governments, including Ghana, to prioritise diabetes prevention and management, ensuring that people living with the condition have access to the resources and support they need.
For Esi, the journey is far from over. Despite the health challenges she faces, including retinal detachment, kidney failure, and numbness in her left leg, her resolve to live and help others remains firm.
“What keeps me going is my desire to be there for my children and to help young people living with diabetes,” she says. “We need to raise awareness, share knowledge, and build a supportive community for everyone living with diabetes.”
Ghana needs to ensure that national strategies for the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases contain the necessary provisions to cover persons living with diabetes.
This should include quality essential health services and promote access to diagnostics and quality, safe, effective, affordable and essential medicines, including insulin, oral hypoglycemic agents and other diabetes-related medicines and health technologies for all people living with diabetes.
GNA